The Van Wezel Foundation has named Mark Cole to the newly created position of chief advancement and marketing Officer. Cole has more than 20 years of experience across education and performing arts organizations; at the foundation, he will drive the  fundraising campaign to build the new Sarasota Performing Arts Center on The Bay.

Cole comes to the foundation from Miami Dade College, where he served for six years as vice-president of advancement and executive director of the Miami Dade College Foundation. Prior to that, he worked for 13 years at Miami City Ballet as production director and then general manager. He holds a bachelor of arts in theater from Auburn University and a MFA in theater from the University of Minnesota. He began his career as a professional actor and stage manager.